Ali Schwanke

Marketing is my super power // previous Founder at Simple Strat (exited 2025) // I love solving wicked hard problems.

[Ali Schwanke @alischwanke]

What I do: marketing

What I actually do: remind people that I know what I’m doing

[Nathan Barry @nathanbarry]

How do you actually make significant money on YouTube?

@TintinSmith is the ex-manager of Ali Abdaal.

In this YouTube business masterclass we cover:

- How you can hit $1M with just 1,000 subscribers
- The exact system you should use
- Who to hire and how much it costs

[Nick Bateman @nickbateman33]

Dusty May PR over the past 24 hours

- This clip (insane)
- Scouting UConn Illinois picture (+1000 aura)
- Told Elliott Cadeau to throw “missed shot lobs” off the backboard (genius)
- Beat the living daylights out of a top 10 team in CBB history

[Ali Schwanke @alischwanke]

@AdamAutomates @denk_tweets that was me too 😂

[Ali Schwanke @alischwanke]

Every business owner everywhere needs to read this

[FIDEL CACHE FLOW @FidelCacheFlow]

https://t.co/6PmWWsE2UV

[Danny Steele @SteeleThoughts]

When I was a high school principal, I interviewed a teacher named Jake Huggins. He seemed like a good candidate—friendly, experienced, and thoughtful. I believed he could be a solid addition to our faculty. But any lingering doubt disappeared when he answered one particular question. It has always been my favorite.

I asked him, “Jake, in every school in America, you can place teachers on a continuum. On one end are those who don’t seem to want to be there. They’re always complaining. Their colleagues wonder why they haven’t retired yet. They drain the energy of the building. But on the other end are teachers who are excited to come to work. They love their students. They value their colleagues. They lift the spirits of everyone around them. When graduates come back, these are the teachers they want to see.

So Jake… what’s the difference between these two teachers? What is the X factor? Because that’s what we’re looking for.”

Most teachers answer that question by talking about passion. Or purpose. Or the desire to make a difference rather than just earn a paycheck. Those are good answers. But Jake said something different—something I’ve never forgotten.

He said, “I think almost every teacher starts out idealistic. They love kids. They want to change the world. But after a few years, you hit a wall. You realize how hard this job really is. There are endless papers to grade. Some students make it incredibly challenging to teach. And parents aren’t always supportive.

Some teachers never move past that reality check. They burn out. But others do. They keep their sense of purpose in spite of the challenges. The work is hard, but they remain convinced it matters. Some students are difficult, but they know those students need someone who refuses to give up on them. They face adversity, but they don’t let it steal their passion. Those are the teachers who make a difference year after year.”

We hired Jake.

A few years later he was named the school’s Teacher of the Year.

So today, I salute Jake—and every educator who has faced that “reality check” and chosen to keep going. The ones who remember their whyon the hard days. The ones who refuse to let frustration turn into cynicism. The ones who continue to believe, even when the work is exhausting.

Because those are the teachers who change lives.
And they do it… year after year.

Cheers,

Danny

[Wendi A. Irlbeck MS, RDN, LD, CISSN @Wendi_Irlbeck]

Student Athlete, “I’m always sore and tired. I can’t figure out why.”

Me, “Your nutrition consists of Chick-fil-A , protein bars, Celsius, zero fruits and veggies, no breakfast and you’re up till midnight most nights per your intake forms.”

Athlete, “It’s hard to eat meals, I’m up late because I have school work.”

Me, “Show me your screen time from this week? You’re averaging 5 hours on TikTok alone.

Why can’t you replace screen time with school work so you can get the sleep you need to gain the energy you don’t have to get stronger like you said you wanted?

Additionally, why aren’t you eating the 3-5 meals we discussed with the fruits, veggies and proteins you agreed to consume when you set your goals this year? You would be less sore if you had more nutrients in your body especially around training!”

Athlete 🦗🦗

This applies to adults too. You HAVE time for what you prioritize.

There’s 168 hours in a week.

You have time for meal prep and homework if you log off social media.

You have time to sleep 7-9 hours if you put down your phone and set your schedule.

Your focus and habits in youth dictate your direction in life and position as an adult. You won’t be a student athlete forever.

Make healthy choices NOW!

You know I’m right 💪

[Ben Verlander @BenVerlander]

This is one of the coolest social media clips I have ever seen

Well done @Brewers

[Christopher Voss @fbinegotiator]

Instead of asking what someone does, ask what they love about what they do. It moves them past a rehearsed answer and into what makes them come alive.

[Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness @coachajkings]

Bob Chesney shares a must-listen on culture and respect.

"They're not here to pick up after you. They're part of our team. They are your equal."

"The best teams in America - it's never about any one person."

Know their name. Respect everyone.

[Ali Schwanke @alischwanke]

@ryan_doser13 When are you getting the honorary PhD? Lol

[Ross Simmonds @TheCoolestCool]

The biggest opportunities are often ridiculed before they become mainstream. Keep going.

[Ali Schwanke @alischwanke]

Too many inexperienced founders I talk to sound something like this:

“I figured out a way to use AI/automation to do X - wanna learn more?”

Me: but what problem are you solving

Them: “Using AI to do X!”

Me: Who’s looking for you to do that?

🦗🦗🦗

[Ali Schwanke @alischwanke]

@jasonmpearl Ah. Good lessons in leadership in there!

[Ali Schwanke @alischwanke]

@BrianLaManna_ So glad you got your win!!! Epic!!

[Ali Schwanke @alischwanke]

@JamieLSaunders I think this about a lot of things. There are real problems that need human attention at the moment lol

[Ali Schwanke @alischwanke]

Cannot wait. This is going to be so good!

[CFB Kings @CFBKings]

They just announced on College Gameday that ESPN will be releasing a 6-episode series called “Saban” 👀

[Ali Schwanke @alischwanke]

@businessbarista 100% agree. Have followed him for years and read may books; always a golden nugget. Even as a game day analyst he is still such a source of wisdom, fundamentals and mental stamina.

[Brian Halligan @bhalligan]

The older I get, the more I think outstanding taste in people is the only real alpha.

[Sahil Bloom @SahilBloom]

Underrated life advice: Don’t wait. Take that crazy leap of faith. Say the words now. Tell people you love them. Apologize when you should. Forgive. Everything in life has an expiration date. Opportunities don’t wait until you’re ready. Miss them now and you miss them forever.